You have to find the right strategy that fits your options...listen to everyone and verify what you hear because everyone will have their own opinion...Most of the west is more expensive than the Midwest and Mideast of the country...You might want to visit the areas and interview your potential team in person or trust what you are shown through videos of the areas or ... sometimes you can make a killing on an area that everyone thinks is unsafe and you find a that is very safe and cheaper than it should be, because it is near unsafe area or people think it is unsafe.

I live in West Columbia but do real estate in Kershaw County.  

I'm looking in Southeast Florida (Delray Beach/Fort Lauderdale/West Palm Beach) and Columbus/Dayton, OHMany of my properties are coming from the sheriff sale/bank-owned auction and I STILL can't squeeze these tight enough...maybe someone can show me what I'm doing wrong?

If you prefer rentals in B or B+ neighborhoods instead (mainly for higher tenant quality, lower crime rates, and better long-term appreciation potential) and don’t mind broadening your search beyond Huntsville, other more affordable locales in Alabama—like Birmingham, the state’s largest city—could be a good fit.We’re active in suburbs on the west side of Birmingham like Adamsville, Forestdale, Sylvan Springs, and Pleasant Grove, and a good portion of properties there meet the 1% rule.

@Shawn McMahon - I'm a young professional in Denver looking to buy (though a bit more south and west than where you were looking).

Big Money investors buying all kinds of property south of downtown and West of downtown in design district. 

I am in foothills West of Denver specifically Clear Creek County and have been working on some insurance quotes after getting a cancellation for increased fire risk. 

when lehigh was put in they punched in roads to 250,000 lots.. one can google earth it today and see blocks of lots with like 2 or 5 homes per 50 lots.. lots trade there when its good times for 20 to 25k and bad times 2 to 10k  like a ping pong ball.. the GFC took down many land plays even out west..

Please be patient if I am wrong in any of my assumptions.I own a home in Rotonda West, FL.

Hey there @Hart Turner - I am in for sure.I know for sure that @Mariah Pierce and @Princess Subijano-Cannataro are from Chicago and heading down to BPCON 204.Hopefully, we can get a few others to jump in here, too.Elgin, Wicker Parker, Aurora, Illinois, Logan Square, Lincoln Park, Bronzeville, Schaumburg, Irving Park, Lakeview, West Town, Belmont Cragin